The City of Opelika held a special election to renew and continue the annual levy and collection of the 5 mill property tax for the support and furtherance of education in the Opelika City Schools. The tax renewal passed and the unofficial election results are as follows: WARD FOR AGAINST TOTAL Ward 1 116 5 121 Ward2 202 7 209 Ward3 290 24 314 Ward4 360 16 376 Ward5 350 20 370 Absentee 5 0 5 FINAL 1,323 72 1,395 Dr. Mark Neighbors, Superintendent of Opelika City Schools and Mayor Gary Fuller were both pleased with the results. “I would like to express my appreciation to the citizens of Opelika for renewing the 5 mill tax to support education in the Opelika City Schools. The local funds generated by this tax are extremely important to us and will help our schools continue to provide excellent opportunities for our students. We couldn’t do what we do without the support of our community,” said Dr. Neighbors. Mayor Fuller added, “This local revenue is critical for the continued success of programs like band, choral, career tech,technology, instructional coaches and more. These programs are far reaching and are critical to workforce development and industries. We are grateful to the people of Opelika for seeing the need and supporting our school system.” The Opelika City Council will hold a special City Council meeting on February 20, 2018 at 12 p.m. (Noon) in the City Council Chambers. This is located on the first floor of City Hall at 204 South 7 th Street, Opelika, Alabama. This special meeting is called to canvass the returns and declare the results of the February 13, 2018,Special Municipal Election. The meeting is open to the public. For more information on election results, contact Opelika City Clerk, Bob Shuman, at 334.705.5110.

CITY OF OPELIKA BUSINESS LICENSE DEADLINE REMINDER2/9/2018http://www.opelika-al.gov/default.asp?ID=16&action=view&nid=1883

The City of Opelika Revenue Department would like to remind business owners of the deadline for Business License renewals. All license renewals are due annually on January 1 and become delinquent as follows: · General Licenses: Delinquent after February 15 · Alcoholic Beverages: Became delinquent after January 15 · Insurance Companies: Delinquent after March 1 All licenses not paid within thirty (30) days from the date they fall due shall be increased by fifteen (15) percent for the first thirty (30) days they shall be delinquent, or fraction thereof, and shall be increased by an additional fifteen (15) percent for a delinquency of sixty (60) or more days. All delinquent accounts (both license taxes and penalties) shall also be charged simple interest at the rate of one (1) percent per month. For more information, please call the City of Opelika Revenue Department at 334.705.5160.

Opelika City Council Calls Meeting To Declare Results of Special Municipal Election2/8/2018http://www.opelika-al.gov/default.asp?ID=16&action=view&nid=1882

The Opelika City Council is calling a City Council meeting on February 20, 2018 at 12 p.m. (Noon) in the City Council Chambers. This is located on the first floor of City Hall at 204 South 7 th Street, Opelika, Alabama. This special meeting is called to canvass the returns and declare the results of the February 13,2018, Special Municipal Election. The meeting is open to the public.

OPELIKA, Ala – Due to recycling material being continually contaminated, the Westside Recycling Center on Grand National Parkway in Opelika will close effective April 1, 2018. Citizens can sign up for curbside recycling at www.opelika-al.gov for only $10 per month or bring recycling to one of the four recycling centers – Northside Center at 600 8 th Avenue, Covington Center at 213 Carver Avenue, Floral Park Center at 600 Floral Street or Jeter Avenue Center at 675 Jeter Avenue. For more information, call Opelika Environmental Services at 334.705.5480.

Just a quick reminder to vote on February 13. This is a special election regarding a tax RENEWAL that is important and vital for our city, our school system and our business community. This is not a new tax -- it's a renewal. On February 13, 2018, the Opelika City Council will hold a special election to RENEW and continue the annual levy and collection of the 5 mill property tax for the support and furtherance of education in the Opelika City Schools. This property tax was first approved in 1965 and renewed in 1989.. This is an existing tax that has been in place for decades and the renewal will not increase the millage rate for Opelika residents. In the current fiscal year, local revenue accounts for 40.7% of the 2018 general fund budget. This local revenue is critical to the continued support of programs such as: BandPrograms CareerTech Counselors ChoralPrograms Art InstructionalCoaches MusicPrograms Technology System-wideElectives TheatrePrograms SpecialEducation AdvancedPlacement Driver’sEducation LocalTeacherUnits Curriculum These programs provide fantastic opportunities that allow our students to learn and grow in many different ways. February 8th is the last day to apply for an absentee ballot. You can do this in the City Clerks office at 204 South 7th Street, 2nd floor of City Hall. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. on February 13.

CONSTRUCTION TO BEGIN ON POWER POLES ON SOUTH LONG BETWEEN I-85 AND FREDERICK ROAD – FEBRUARY 52/2/2018http://www.opelika-al.gov/default.asp?ID=16&action=view&nid=1879

OPELIKA, Ala – A notice to citizens of construction on power poles February 5, 2018. PowerSecure, on behalf of Alabama Power, will begin construction on February 5, 2018, on the section of South Long St. between I-85 and Fredrick Road. This will consist of closing Lanes as well as complete road closure in sections between Wallace Avenue and Fredrick Avenue. Residents will have full access and thru traffic will be re-routed. Any questions,please call City of Opelika Public Works office at 334-705-5400.

OPELIKA, Ala – A notice to all citizens that the railroad crossings at North 17th Street/Talladega Street, as well as 9 th Street downtown will be closed to traffic now until Wednesday, January 31, due to work on the roadway crossing the tracks. Please be aware and detour around these areas until the work is complete. UPDATE: This also includes the Airport Road railroad crossing.

AUBURN-OPELIKA METROPOLITAN AREA NAMED NO. 10 IN BEST-PERFORMING CITIES INDEX BY THE MILKEN INSTITUTE1/18/2018http://www.opelika-al.gov/default.asp?ID=16&action=view&nid=1877

OPELIKA, ALA — The 2017 Milken Institute Best-Performing Cities Index named the Auburn-Opelika Metropolitan Area No. 10 in the Best Performing Cities Annual Index. The Milken Institute Best-Performing Cities Index ranks U.S.metropolitan areas by how well they are creating and sustaining jobs and economic growth. The components include job, wage and salary, and technology growth. “Our area has sustained growth for many years now. This is obvious in our economic growth and success. Opelika is able to attract major industries, as well as take care of our medium to small businesses, because of our education and workforce development, unparalleled school systems, our affordable cost of living and the exceptional quality of life we offer businesses and citizens alike,” says Mayor Gary Fuller. According to the Milken study, the Auburn-Opelika Metropolitan Area has been in the top 10 since 2014, which is reflected in the five-year job and high-tech GDP growth. The area has a large manufacturing base. In FY 2017,Opelika announced the creation of 194 new industrial jobs with an additional investment of $129 million. “The job creation and investment for 2017 came from expansions of existing industries like West Fraser, Hanwha, Pharmavite, Cumberland Plastics and Red Clay Brewing Company as well as a new distribution company, Aerocosta,choosing to locate in Opelika,” says Lori Huguley, CEcD, Opelika Economic Development director. Also of note, Adams Beverage completed a relocation to their newly constructed distribution center and Opelika celebrated the completion of Baxter International’s $252 million expansion which will add 200 employees. For a copy of the full report, please visit http://www.best-cities.org/ .To learn more about Opelika, please visit www.opelika-al.gov .

City of Opelika Parks & Rec and Library Closing Early1/18/2018http://www.opelika-al.gov/default.asp?ID=16&action=view&nid=1876

The City of Opelika would like to let citizens know that ALL Parks and Recreation facilities will close at 5 p.m. today, January 18, 2018 and will delay opening until 8 a.m. tomorrow, January 19, 2018. The Lewis Cooper Jr. Memorial Library will also close at 5 p.m. today, January 18, 2018 and will open at the normal hours on Friday, January 19.

City of Opelika Facilities and Garbage Notification1/17/2018http://www.opelika-al.gov/default.asp?ID=16&action=view&nid=1874

All City of Opelika facilities will open Thursday, January,18, at 11 a.m. for business. GARBAGE COLLECTION UPDATE: Garbage will not be picked upon Thursday, January 18 due to road conditions. If you have a Tuesday,Wednesday or Thursday garbage pickup day, please pull your cart to the road on Friday, January 19. If your garbage is not picked up on Friday, it will be picked up on Saturday, January 20. We appreciate your patience and understanding. Keeping our employees and citizens safe is our number one priority.

City Officials Urge Citizens To Stay Off Roads1/17/2018http://www.opelika-al.gov/default.asp?ID=16&action=view&nid=1872

City officials have been out this morning checking the roadways and encourage citizens to stay home. Most roads have been deemed impassable. Public Works is sanding bridges, but this is not improving situations much. There have already been reports of accidents on roadways which are causing backups. Side roads continue to deteriorate. You are urged to stay home and stay safe. Thank you. The following release was issued by the Lee County Emergency Management Agency this morning. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Lee County Issues Impassable Travel Advisory Lee County – The Lee County Emergency Management Agency, in coordination with the Lee County Highway Department, has issued the following advisory for all Lee County: IMPASSABLE TRAVEL ADVISORY: On January 17, 2018 all roads and bridges in Lee County should be considered IMPASSABLE until further notice. Lee County has received 2.5” accumulating snow that has completely covered many roadways. After a n assessment of current surface temperatures and roadway conditions, members of the general public are advised that when roads and bridges are IMPASSABLE all travel should be suspended or delayed. Only emergency vehicles should travel on county roads and bridges until further notice. Lee County EMA, in coordination with the Lee County Highway Department, shall notify the public with a “Resumption of Travel” statement once conditions improve. If you have any questions regarding the above Impassable Travel Advisory, you may contact the Lee County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at 334-749-8161 ##

ROAD CLOSURE: The city is closing down 2nd Ave. bridge between 11th Street and 14th Street until further notice.

ALL CITY OF OPELIKA FACILITIES TO CLOSE EARLY TODAY AND WILL BE CLOSED TOMORROW DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER1/16/2018http://www.opelika-al.gov/default.asp?ID=16&action=view&nid=1868

The City of Opelika, including City Hall, the Library, Parks &amp;Recreation and all other departments will close at 3:30 today and will be closed on Wednesday, January 17. There will be no garbage pickup Wednesday, January 17. The City will advise if offices will be closed on Thursday, January 18. Please check the city’s website and Facebook page for updates. We encourage all city employees and citizens to stay home and stay off the roads to ensure your safety.

City Council Meeting To Be Held1/16/2018http://www.opelika-al.gov/default.asp?ID=16&action=view&nid=1869

CITY COUNCIL WILL STILL MEET TONIGHT. Work session at 6:50 p.m. and meeting at 7 p.m.